Primary school pupil, seven, dies after being taken ill during classes

Sheffield City Council said the Year 2 pupil had become unwell at St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, in the city on Thursday.

She died later in hospital, a spokesman confirmed.

He said the girl, who has not been named, was taken ill at school and an ambulance was called. She was taken to Sheffield Children's Hospital.

No cause of death has been released.

The school on Chancet Wood Drive, in the south of Sheffield, has about 200 pupils. A decision was made for the school to stay closed yesterday as a mark of respect.

Headteacher Andrew Truby said: "We are all very shocked by the sudden and tragic death of one of our pupils. As a school we will feel her loss deeply and our thoughts are with the family at this time.

"As a mark of respect we have closed the school today and this morning all staff gathered together in prayer.

"When pupils return to school on Monday they will need all our help to come to terms with what has happened, and all our staff and governors will be doing every- thing possible to support the children in their grief."